Talk About My Favorite Authors: Winston Family Series

Showing posts with label Winston Family Series. Show all posts

Friday, November 28, 2008

Double the Pleasure

4:24 PM | by Phoebe Jordan | | | Edit Post

I love Lori Foster's novels and I've heard so much about her novels about the Winston men but never had the chance to read their books. So when Lori came to me about reviewing her December Berkley Anthology release of Double the Pleasure which features an all new Winston novella I knew I had to get the books that started it all. Wildly Winston is a four-in-one novel with the first 4 books about the original 4 Winston brothers and also the book Say No to Joe? which comes after Wild. After reading all four Winston brother's love stories and reading their cousin Joe Winston's love story I have to say I was excited about reading this book. I've never had the pleasure of reading any of Jacquie D'Alessandro, Penny McCall and Deirdre Martin's novels but after reading their novellas in this novel I'm going to be check out some websites and bookstores and seeing what new novels I will be trying out next year.

Deuces Wild by Lori Foster is the first novella of the book and is another wonderful Winston story to capture your heart from the beginning of this awesome novella. This novella is about twin Winston brothers Dexter and Hart Winston who have used their identical appearance to fool their family and even women to thinking they were one or the other twin. Dexter Winston, the hero, is helping out his twin brother Hart who is an artist but wants to become a professional SBC fighter but doesn't want the family to know about it yet until he was official signed on and would make it. So Dex has agreed to pose as Hart and live in his apartment while he's training and battling to make it as an official SBC fighter. That is when Dex meets his soul mate Christy Nash who can tell that this new Hart was very different from the Hart she knew a couple of days ago. Their courtship is short and sweet but very wonderful to read especially since by the end of the novel I got the feeling that Hart Winston would have his story told in another novella because there was some unfinished business going on.

The Luck of the Irish by Deirdre Martin is the second novella in this anthology and is an introduction to this new author for me and it is also the novella that kicks off her new series, The Wild Hart Saga. I don't know if you know this but I love the Irish ever since I read Nora Roberts novel Three Fates and when I read this title I knew this was going to be a good novella no matter what and I was right! The heroine Maggie O'Brien has been through a horrible marriage and then divorce that has her jaded against me especially charming and attractive men like her cheating ex-husband. Then Maggie has taken an instant attraction to the Irishman Brendan Kelly who is working with his uncle to give her family's pub, the Wild Hart a face-lift. Brendan came to New York to work for his uncle Joe when the economy in Ireland was at an all time low and he needed a way to make a living. Brendan is also working towards getting his citizenship in order to stay in New York and take over his uncle Joe's business when he finally retires. I really loved this novella and I'm looking forward to find out more about Deidre Martin's Wild Hart Saga because as long as it's filled with the interesting Irish characters I read in this novella I know it will be a good read.

Your Room or Mine? by Jacquie D'Alessandro is third novella in this lovely anthology and is also another introduction to a new author for me. At first I didn't know what to think of this story because it was kind of slow going for me but that all changed when I got into the plot of the story that came just in time. I loved the hero, Jack Walker, and the heroine, Madeline Price, because they both seemed like such fascinating characters that have personal issues that could be a problem for the relationship. Jack and Madeline clash very badly in their work place because Madeline is the consultant who is helping Jack the Chief Financial Officer of the Java Haven company. But everything changes when they are all made to go on a fun-filled weekend of team building at Casa di Lago and that is where things get interesting because Jack and Madeline are the first to get there before everyone else. I enjoyed this novella after things got interesting in the second and third chapter and I'm glad I didn't skip the novella.

Double the Danger by Penny McCall is the fourth and last novella in this anthology and it is yet another introduction to a new author for me. I enjoyed this novella okay but it wasn't as good as the other novellas and don't get me wrong I did enjoy the characters very much but it didn't captivate me as much as the first novellas. The heroine, Dr. Abigail West, was an interesting character and so was the hero Drake is an FBI agent who she had a previously serious relationship with in college for two years before he left her without a good-bye. He some how ends up dead on her autopsy table or that is what she thinks when she opens up the body bag he came in. Then she notices that he is still alive and he grabs her by the throat and that is when things get dangerous. I had fun reading all the exciting trouble they both get into and it was nice to see that even after years apart they felt something strong for one another. Over all I'm so glad that Lori Foster contacted me about reviewing this AMAZING anthology full of wonderful authors and you all should go out and buy it because I can tell you that you won't regret it. If nothing else buy it for that lovely and sexy cover that I love looking at whenever I was reading the novel. Here is the description of the book from the back cover and picture:

DOUBLE THE PLEASURE $ 15.00 (also including authors Jacquie D’Alessandro, Penny McCall and Deirdre Martin)(Book 3)(362 Pages)

Think of the man you’d give anything to be with. Think of what you’d like to do to him…and what you’d like him to do to you. Think of the fun you could have. Now, double it!

Joining forces

New York Times bestselling sensation Lori Foster, USA Today bestselling authors Deirdre Martin and Jacquie D’Alessandro, and Penny McCall join together for this tantalizing anthology…

Trading places

Includes a brand-new novella featuring the Winston cousins—sexy twins who use their knockout mirror image goods look to switch places and have a little fun with the girls of each other’s dreams…

Labels:Advance Readers Copy Reviews,Book Reviews,Deirdre Martin,Jacquie D'Alessandro,Lori Foster,Penny McCall,Rating 4 Open Books,Requested Reviews,Winston Family Series | 0 Readers Comments

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Say No to Joe?

6:20 PM | by Phoebe Jordan | | | Edit Post

I love Lori Foster's novels and I've heard so much about her novels about the Winston men but never had the chance to read their books. So when Lori came to me about reviewing her December Berkley Anthology release of Double the Pleasure which features an all new Winston novella I knew I had to get the books that started it all. Wildly Winston is a four-in-one novel with the first 4 books about the original 4 Winston brothers and now I'm reviewing the book Say No to Joe? which comes after Wild. After reading all four Winston brother's love stories and have a peek into their cousin Joe Winston's life I have to say I was excited about reading this book. Joe Winston is a dangerous man who loves to live dangerously especially since his past and current job consisted of being a bodyguard, private investigator and a bounty hunter.

But in Zane's book Wild he seemed to have found a woman who could match him in Tamera's friend and employee Luna Clark. At the end of Wild I knew that Luna and Joe would have their own story because I read the sexual tension between them and I was excited about this book. When I was finished reading it I knew I was right in picking up with book because it had everything I like in a novel. There were two wonderful kids that made the story fun and exciting to read especially mixed with all the suspense and sexual tension between Luna and Joe. It was great to read about another Winston fall head-over-heels in love with a strong woman who could put up with his macho good looks and his heavy attitude. Here is the description of the book from the back cover and picture:

SAY NO TO JOE? $ 6.99 (Book 2)(416 Pages)

IRRESISTIBLE FORCE—MEET IMMOVABLE OBJECT

Joe Winston has a routine with women: he exists; they swoon; roll credits. With his smoldering looks, macho style, and irrepressible charm, Joe can have any woman—except the one he really wants. Secretly, Luna Clark may lust after Joe, but she’s made it clear that she’s too smart to fall for him. He can just keep holding his breath, thank you very much. But now, Luna’s inherited two kids who need more than she alone can give in a small town that seems hell-bent on driving them away. She needs someone to help out…someone who can’t be intimidated…someone just like Joe. Becoming an instant family wasn’t exactly what Joe had in mind, but hey, it’s a start, and you can’t blame a guy for trying every angle.

After all, where there’s a Joe, there’s a way…straight into a woman’s heart.

Labels:Lori Foster,Winston Family Series | 0 Readers Comments

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Wildly Winston

2:36 PM | by Phoebe Jordan | | | Edit Post

I love Lori Foster's novels and I've heard so much about her novels about the Winston men but never had the chance to read their books. So when Lori came to me about reviewing her December Berkley Anthology release of Double the Pleasure which features an all new Winston novella I knew I had to get the books that started it all. Wildly Winston is a four-in-one novel with the first 4 books about the original 4 Winston brothers which I have to say I'm amazingly pleased that I finally got to find out all about the Winston brothers and next onto the wild Winston cousins. Tangled Sheets—Cole Winston and Sophie Sheridan's love story and the first book in the Winston family series. The Winston brothers are an interesting bunch of very virile and sexy men who I enjoyed getting to know. The oldest Winston brother falls head-over-heels in love in this first short story entitled Tangled Sheets. Cole Winston is oldest brother of four and he is the parental figure in the family since their parents both died when the boys we young and Cole was in college.

They own a bar, previously called The Stud by some macho former owner, but changed to merely the Winston Tavern after Cole bought it to keep his family financially steady. Cole has known boutique owner Sophie Sheridan for 7 months because she has made it a routine to stop in at the Winston's bar for a cup of hoht chocolate with whipped cream. Cole is very attracted to Sophie since he first laid eyes on her and so the same went for Sophie but she was too shy and tongue twisted around Cole to do anything. During those months Cole and Sophie have become friends since he always made it so that he would deliever her regular order of hot chocolate whenever she stopped by. But things change for Sophie when she comes into the bar with a flyer advertising the Winston brother contest where every woman who takes a picture of themselves and pins it up to the wall at th bar.

The Winston brothers will then pick one of the pictures and that lucky lady then gets a picture with all four Winston brothers and a special dinner date with the brother of her choice. When Cole sees her with the flyer he wants her to enter but Sophie is too tongue tied and tells him that she would never have the nerve to enter the contest but that her twin sister would love to enter instead. Cole was intrigued by this news especially when Sophie says that she's coming to visit her for a few days. This is when things get very interesting because Sophie has a secret she's keeping from Cole about her "twin" sister. I was already falling for the Winston brothers by the end of this too short story in my opinion. I wish it could have been a bit longer but I'm happy with this story because there was a beautiful Happily Ever After and another wonderful Winston story to follow.

Tangled Dreams—Chase Winston and Allison Barrow's love story and the second book in the Winston family series. The Winston brothers are an interesting bunch of very virile and sexy men who I enjoyed getting to know. The second oldest Winston brother falls head-over-heels in love with his new sister-in-laws friend and employee Allison Barrow in this second short story entitled Tangled Dreams. Chase hasn't really noticed Allison as a woman even though he has known her ever since she's been working for Sophie. But Allison sure has noticed Chase Winston because what red-blooded woman wouldn't notice him then one day all things changed for Chase and Allison. Chase could hear and even see some of the very graphic thoughts Allison had going on in her head when he looked at her but when he asked his youngest brother Mack to look at her and see if he could hear what she was saying but he couldn't and looked at Chase like he was crazy. Chase and Allison have a paranormal beginning that could get them in some serious and dangerous trouble if they aren't careful. It was a pleasure reading how their HEA came about in the end because it was something to remember.

Tangled Images—Mack Winston and Jessica Wells' love story and the third book in the Winston family series. The Winston brothers are an interesting bunch of very virile and sexy men who I enjoyed getting to know. The youngest Winston brother falls head-over-heels in love with Jessica Wells an older woman who use to be in one of his college classes and is now the photographer working for his sister-in-law Sophie in this third short story entitled Tangled Images. Jessica Wells is an older divorced woman who went back to college in hopes of making a better living for her young daughter. Mack Winston was in the same class and was instantly attracted to Jessica even though she wouldn't give him the time of day but what he didn't know is that she secretly wanted him but thought he was an all fun guy like her ex-husband.

But after two years they both can't forget one another until Sophie Winston tricks Mack into modeling some her new male loungewear for a catalogue she wants done for her boutique. When he goes to the photographers place of business he finds out that it is Jessica Wells the woman he has been thinking about for two years and couldn't get out of his mind. They both have some issues to get over especially since Jessica is a few years older than him and he has a teaching career that could be taken away from him if something doesn't happen soon. I enjoyed this too short story very much because I got to read how the two older Winston brothers were doing in their marriage along with how the youngest got his HEA.

Wild—Zane Winston and Tamera Tremayne's love story and the fourth book in the Winston family series. The Winston brothers are an interesting bunch of very virile and sexy men who I enjoyed getting to know. The middle Winston brother falls head-over-heels in love with Tamera Tremayne a gypsy woman who works next door to his own computer business in this fourth book entitled Wild. This book had all the Winston brothers back and some new and interesting characters which was such a joy reading about. Zane Winston is the wildest of all four brothers and the one who is the most resistant to the "Winston Curse" which happens to be that when the Winston men find the love of their lives they fall hard and fast. Zane has been resisting from falling in love like his brothers but that all changes when the gypsy woman from next door comes to his story and whispers "I want you" to him.

That is when things start to get interesting because Zane has turned down any advances from Tamera and even now when she whispered those husky words to him he turns her down. Then he can't stop thinking about her without thinking graphic and intimate thoughts about what he wants to do with her and to her. Tamera has always been attracted to Zane since she first met him from a distance. She has even visited his brother's bar from time to time and saw him and his family interact with one another and know he was the man she needed for what she had in mind. There is a lot of heated moments between them but some are interrupted by Tamera's gypsy family members that consist of a large bear of an uncle and two small and weathered aunts who want Tamera to be a gypsy even though she is the white sheep of the family with her blond hair and green eyes.

Tamera is also having some troubles with her business and that could be something that will but a stop to her budding relationship with Zane which is getting serious even though it was only supposed to be about sex. There are some excitingly dangerous moments and we also be getting to meet another Winston who is a sexy and dangerous cousin that will have his own story to be told soon. Now to finish this very long review I'm so happy to have gotten this book full of wonderful Winston stories and I can't wait to read more about these ridiculously sexy Winston cousins I've also heard much about. Here is the description of the book from the back cover and picture:

WILDLY WINSTON $ 14.00 (Book 1)(422 Pages)

All four Winston brothers are scorchingly handsome, sensually passionate—and stubbornly proud. Left alone in the world after their parents’ deaths, they learned to depend on each other—

and to cherish the bond that held them together. Now, with their disarming charm and sexy smiles, they will inspire your wildest, most sensuous fantasies—and will surely become the men of your dreams…

Tangled Sheets

Night after night, bar owner Cole Winston is seduced by prim and proper Sophie Sheridan’s way with hot chocolate…until her sexy and outrageous twin, Shelly, walks into the bar…

Tangled Dreams

To uncover a family heirloom, two ghosts orchestrate a most passionate tryst between a demure lady and the sexy bartender she can’t get out of her mind—Chase Winston.

Tangled Images

When Mack Winston agreed to model for a catalog, he had no idea he’s be working with the only woman who’s ever intrigued him—serious, standoffish Jessica Wells…

Wild

Underneath her gypsy guise, Tamara is a very stubborn, seductive woman—who may be in very serious danger. But even though she refuses Zane Winston’s help, he knows she’s the woman for him. Because she’s sassy. Sexy. And totally wild…

Labels:Lori Foster,Winston Family Series | 0 Readers Comments